Human Geography 101: Urban Geography - Urban Land Use Models Burgess Concentric Zone Hoyt Sector HarrisUllman Multiple Nuclei

What This Is

Urban land use models are theoretical frameworks that explain the spatial organization of cities and towns. These models help us understand how different land uses are distributed within urban areas and how they interact with each other. For example, the growth of suburbanization in the United States can be explained by the Burgess Concentric Zone model, which describes how cities expand outward in a series of concentric rings.

Key Models, Theories & Terms

• Burgess Concentric Zone Model: A model that describes the spatial organization of cities as a series of concentric zones, each with a different land use (residential, commercial, industrial). This model explains the growth of suburbanization in the United States.
• Hoyt Sector Model: A model that describes the spatial organization of cities as a series of sectors, each with a different land use (residential, commercial, industrial). This model explains the growth of cities in the United States during the early 20th century.
• Harris-Ullman Multiple Nuclei Model: A model that describes the spatial organization of cities as a series of multiple nuclei, each with a different land use (residential, commercial, industrial). This model explains the growth of cities in the United States during the mid-20th century.
• Central Place Theory: A theory that explains the spacing of towns and cities in a region, with larger cities serving as central places and smaller towns serving as satellites.
• Rank-Size Rule: A rule that describes the relationship between the size of cities in a region, with larger cities being larger than smaller cities in a predictable ratio.
• Urban Hierarchy: A concept that describes the hierarchical organization of cities in a region, with larger cities serving as central places and smaller towns serving as satellites.
• Urban Sprawl: A phenomenon that describes the growth of cities outward in a series of low-density, suburban areas.
• Gentrification: A process that describes the transformation of low-income neighborhoods into more affluent, middle-class neighborhoods.

Step-by-Step Application

1. Identify the dominant urban model that describes the spatial organization of a city. For example, if a city has a series of concentric zones, it may be described by the Burgess Concentric Zone model.
2. Analyze the land uses within each zone or sector. For example, if a city has a commercial zone in the center and a residential zone on the outskirts, it may be described by the Hoyt Sector model.
3. Identify the central place in the urban hierarchy. For example, if a city has a large central business district, it may be the central place in the urban hierarchy.
4. Analyze the relationship between the size of cities in the region. For example, if a city is larger than its neighboring cities in a predictable ratio, it may be described by the rank-size rule.
5. Identify the urban model that describes the growth of a city. For example, if a city has grown outward in a series of low-density, suburban areas, it may be described by the urban sprawl phenomenon.

Common Misconceptions

• Misconception: All migration is permanent.
• Correction: Not all migration is permanent. Some migration is temporary, such as seasonal migration or migration for education or work.
• Example: Seasonal migration in the United States, where workers migrate to different regions for seasonal work.
• Misconception: GDP per capita is the same as standard of living.
• Correction: GDP per capita is a measure of economic output, but it does not necessarily reflect standard of living. Standard of living is a broader concept that includes factors such as access to education, healthcare, and housing.
• Example: A country with a high GDP per capita may still have a low standard of living if its citizens do not have access to basic necessities.
• Misconception: Rank-size rule applies to every country.
• Correction: Rank-size rule is a general principle that describes the relationship between the size of cities in a region, but it does not apply to every country. Some countries may have a different urban hierarchy or spatial organization.

AP Exam / Free-Response Tips

• FRQ task verbs: Identify, describe, explain, compare, and analyze.
• Tricky distinctions: Site vs situation, centripetal vs centrifugal forces, and ethnicity vs nationality.
• Integrating models into essays: Use urban models to explain the spatial organization of cities and the relationships between different land uses.
• Scoring FRQs: Use clear and concise language, provide specific examples, and demonstrate a clear understanding of the urban model being described.

Quick Practice Scenario

A megacity in a developing country grows rapidly as rural residents move in for factory jobs. Identify the dominant migration pattern and one likely urban model that describes its structure.

Answer: The dominant migration pattern is likely to be rural-urban migration, and the urban model that describes its structure is likely to be the Burgess Concentric Zone model.

Explanation: Rural-urban migration is a common phenomenon in developing countries, where rural residents move to cities for factory jobs. The Burgess Concentric Zone model describes the spatial organization of cities as a series of concentric zones, each with a different land use. In this scenario, the city may have a commercial zone in the center, a residential zone in the middle, and a industrial zone on the outskirts.

Last-Minute Cram Sheet

• Burgess Concentric Zone Model: A model that describes the spatial organization of cities as a series of concentric zones.
• Hoyt Sector Model: A model that describes the spatial organization of cities as a series of sectors.
• Harris-Ullman Multiple Nuclei Model: A model that describes the spatial organization of cities as a series of multiple nuclei.
• Central Place Theory: A theory that explains the spacing of towns and cities in a region.
• Rank-Size Rule: A rule that describes the relationship between the size of cities in a region.
• Urban Hierarchy: A concept that describes the hierarchical organization of cities in a region.
• Urban Sprawl: A phenomenon that describes the growth of cities outward in a series of low-density, suburban areas.
• Gentrification: A process that describes the transformation of low-income neighborhoods into more affluent, middle-class neighborhoods.
• Site vs situation: A distinction between the physical location of a city and its social and economic context.
• Centripetal vs centrifugal forces: A distinction between forces that pull people towards a city and forces that push people away from a city.
• Ethnicity vs nationality: A distinction between a person's cultural identity and their national identity.